lia.md

Hi everyone! Any advice at all would be much appreciated - particularly on the GRE front. With early Dec deadlines coming up I'm getting a bit nervous. Program: Masters in Security Studies, Master of Arts in International Relations, MPP Schools Applying To: Georgetown Walsh SFS, Johns Hopkins SAIS, Columbia SIPA, Sciences Po PSIA/LSE (Dual), Yale Jackson, HKS, Boston Pardee Interests: Parameters of war, grand strategy, unconventional warfare, arms control, post-conflict reconstruction, national identity, migration studies Undergrad Institution: Bard Undergraduate GPA: 3.63/4 Undergraduate Major: Political Studies, concentration Global & International Studies GRE: Unofficial 166 V / 156 Q / AW TBD Age: 27 Languages: English (native), French (Rusty but advanced), Arabic (Novice) Nationality: US Quant Experience: Intro to Macro (A), Statistics (A-), Physics for Nonmajors (A) (is this relevant?), currently taking an Intro to Micro class at a nearby community college, A expected. Work Experience: 4+ years full time experience in immigration law. During undergrad, relevant internship/part time office assistance work. Misc: Awarded best senior thesis in the PS department at Bard; during undergrad served as rep for my school at the SCUSA conference at USMA West Point. LORs: 2 Political Studies profs from undergrad (multiple classes, one was senior thesis advisor, the other was on the evaluation board) with whom I've stayed close over the years. 1 from my current boss, the partner I work with closely at the firm where I work - my only concern with her is that she's very busy, but I'm sure it'll be at least good, if not great. SOPs: Not finalized, but will focus on academic background in IR/security studies, work experience in US immigration, and hopes to study the connection/cycle of violent conflict -> national/regional istability -> migration (transnational refugees/IDP) -> further instability and increased likelihood of continuing violent conflict, and effects on conceptions of state identity and individual national identity. Aiming eventually for DOS as FSO and/or journalism. Concerns: 1. GRE Quant. Should I take this again? I'm worried about the time constraints of some deadlines, and I'm unsure how to weigh the cost ($200, less time for SOPs) and potential benefits of extra points. My highest quant score from practice tests was 161, so it seems feasible, but I'm still not sure (and if Q went up but V went down a bit, if there would be net benefit). 2. Volunteer experience. I don't have any substantial, recent volunteer experience. Between my job and some big personal matters over the past few years I just haven't had time for consistency. Is this an issue? 3. Quant experience. it's not a lot, but the grades are good. 4. Financial aid. I know this requires a competitive level above the norm, and I'm not sure how high that is, and if I meet it. 5. I'm a little concerned that, given current events of the past year, my research interests will appear opportunistic. Thanks!

Probably pass out from holding my breath.

Your faculty sounds awesome. That's so fantastic. Congratulations!

One nightmare of a rejection email and subsequent tossing and turning over it kept both my partner and I up practically all night. Now I just feel tired, antsy, aaand a bit guilty.

Same

When did you receive this? Or, was it sent to an FPA and forwarded to you? (also: hi everyone, I applied for France, currently going low key nuts for all the same reasons.)